News / Blog

If you judge the quality of a Hillclimb by the amount of records broken then the latest Guernsey Kart & Motor Club Hillclimb at Les Val des Terres was a great success.

I'll find the time to go through the final results to collect the official number of new records... there were certainly quite a few.

These included new records from Darren Warwick, Zef Eisenberg, Jordan Caradeuc, Chris Guille, Tony Simon and Andy Digard.

But it wasn't just the number of new records... it was the size of the chunk of time removed from some Class times.

That was another memorable day of Guernsey Motorsport :-)

I've been tied up with a couple Elevated photoshoots all day today so the Hillclimb pics have only just been edited. I've still got to edit the Karting pics.

But, for now, I've sorted the Car and Bike Classes and uploaded them to a new gallery.

*UPDATE*: The Karting pics have now been added to the Gallery.

Take a look at the first pics by clicking this link:
VIEW THE LATEST GK&MC HILLCLIMB PICS

I had a brief chat with Clint Blondel between bouts at the Open Air Boxing.

We had both had a bit of rush to get down to The Track in time for the early start of the fighting.

This was due to the fact that we'd both just left Vazon beach after the latest round of the Sandracing Championship.

However I was the lucky one as after a quick wipe of my cameras and lenses I was ready to rumble :-)

Clint, on the other hand, had to transport his Sidecar outfit and his Grasstrack car back home... and then give them a clean.

But he made it to ringside in time to see all the action.

I complimented Clint and Ross Young on their improving 'style' riding the Sidecar. They really are looking like they are ready to 'mix it' with the big names. The team have just been over to the mainland to race a couple of Grasstrack meetings and the extra track-time really shows! Well done guys.

Saturday saw three sidecar outfits on the beach. They are fast and exciting to watch. We must hope that a few more will take part in the 2016 season.

I've added a new Gallery of pics here:
VIEW PICS OF THE SANDRACING CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND-6

This time it was the spectators and boxers who made use of the Bels football pitch....

D&C White Collar Warrior, Belgrave Wanderers FC & Power Constructions presented 15 Bouts of Open Air Boxing at The Track last Saturday.

For the second time I was invited down to The Track to capture some of the action and atmosphere.

This year the Boxing ring was set up closer to the stand which gave an option of buying a 'cheap seat' in the stands but the majority of spectators chose the comfy seats... together with a table for the mandatory beers!

Over a thousand people made the early evening stroll down Victoria Avenue whilst enjoying the mild August evening. The gates opened sharp at 5pm so there was a full evening to look forward to.

Their relaxed mood was soon turned around when the fast-paced action started in the ring. By the end of the night the punters had been entertained to 15 bouts of White Collar Boxing!

The evening had been organised in support of Charity with the Bels FC also earning a few bob towards the re-building of their stand.

So every-one was a winner... the Charities, the Bels, the bout winners and the punters enjoyed a night out with a difference.

I think we can look forward to more of the same another year.

I've added a few pics of each bout to my galleries:
VIEW PICS OF THE OPEN AIR BOXING

That's it. Sorted.

The 2015 Greenman Chaos Festival is already just a memory. We now have to wait until 2016 for the fun to continue.

But we do have the pictures to jog our memories and I've just completed the galleries for 2015 with the last of the Band pics.

Final updates are for Near Bliss, the ever popular The Recks and Sunday's headliners FlashMob.

So until we meet again in a field up at Pleinmont next year... keep it loud, keep live and keep it green, man :-)
VIEW THE FINAL GREENMAN CHAOS 2015 GALLERIES

Guernsey Kart & Motor Club decided to bring Round 5 of their Summer Kart Championship one day forward to Saturday afternoon and make it a social event as well.

What a good move...

I say this on Sunday morning (the usual race day) whilst uploading a few pics of the racing to my Galleries... and it is pouring down outside! Whatever happened to the Summer?

Unfortunately, due to family commitments, I couldn't hang around for the social after the racing. But I'm sure it was fun and I know it definitely benefited from the sunny Saturday!

I've added a few pics to the gallery including some taken with my wonderful Nikon 400mm f2.8 lens. Every time I use it I tell myself that it should be taken out of its hard case more often. Shame it is such a monster to hand-hold.

Photographers who look at the gallery wont need to be told which pics were taken with the 400mm :-)
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF ROUND-5 OF THE SUMMER KART CHAMPIONSHIP

Sunday afternoon at Chaos is the traditional time for fun and games... biker style!

Everyone is chilled and tired after two days of partying so there is no rush... just time to chill and have a bit of fun.

The trike is sure to make an appearance with its weird steering. Never an easy ride when your sober... add a few beers and its great entertainment :-)

The Tug of War proves that adults and kids are not so different after all :-)

Then the industrial grade Chilli eating contest separates the men from the boys...

Whilst the Greenman Chaos Festival 'headlines' that it is all about the bikes and the bands I think it is all about the general vibe and inclusive atmosphere. I haven't been on a motorbike since my teens (if I did get back in the saddle I think I would quickly become a statistic!) however the Greenman is always welcoming.

Next year you must pay it a visit...

My latest updates to the Chaos galleries are here:
TRIKES - CHILLI & TUG OF WAR... BIKER STYLE

Two drivers 'headlined' and entertained the large crowd of spectators gathered at the top of Le Val des Terres for the Guernsey Rounds of the Avon Tyres/TTC Group MSA British Hillclimb Championship.

They produced a spectacle of top-class motorsport that you couldn't have scripted better!

Without doubt... and this isn't a Guernseyman's bias speaking, it was Darren Warwick who produced the finest of the two championship wins.

This was even taking into account that visitor and previous multiple Championship winner, Scott Moran, lowered the outright hill record below 27 seconds for the first time! He has firmly and deservedly made his mark in the record book with a 26.99.

However Scott races a much more powerful and modern car than Darren who doesn't benefit from all the technology. Scott also gets a lot more track-time under his belt as he competes in the full National season.

Darren Warwicks finest moment was when he went on to win Round 22 of the championship beating all the visitors. This win was added to an already impressive second place that Darren had achieved in Round 21.

The Round 22 'Top Twelve Run-off' was also noteable as it included six local drivers. Very impressive. You could say that Guernsey Donkeys pack a pretty hard kick :-)

I've added a quick edit of my pics to this Gallery. More will follow including the Bikes.
VIEW PICS OF THE 2015 GUERNSEY NATIONAL HILLCLIMB

Due to an incident involving Jos Goodyear at the end of the first Avon Tyres/TTC Group MSA British Hillclimb Championship Top 12 Run Off and the resulting long delay, the meeting ended and Round 20 was cancelled.

All the Channel Island Motorsport family wish him a speedy and full recovery.

So as the action was shorter than planned, so is this Blog :-)

I've just added my pics of the Cars to my Gallery. The bikes will follow:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE JERSEY NATIONAL HILLCLIMB

I'm a Guernseyman... and proud of that.

My small Island holds a very special place in my families heart.

And, of course, I know that when it comes to the question of whether Guernsey is better than Jersey.... well do you really need to ask?!!

But I have a bit of a problem.

Last weekend I was at The Fermain Tavern photographing two brilliant bands - one from Guernsey, one from Jersey. I suppose there was bound to be comparison made between the two bands although their music genre's were not really comparable.

First band on the bill were FalenhizzaHorsepower from Jersey. Now this is a band that I have liked and followed for years... from 2008 it seems when I checked my earliest picture in the gallery.

FalenhizzaHorsepower played an incredible set... I mean absolutely amazing. I REALLY love their music!

So the next act, Guernsey's BLAKALASKA had a VERY hard act to follow.

I've loved what BLAKALASKA have been doing since I first 'found' them as BRIGHT_LIGHTS. They have a really modern sound and I've enjoyed their live performances.

However this time around... it hurts me to say this as a Guernseyman, I think it was the Jersey band who stole the show with one of the best live sets I've ever heard... yes they were that good.

It's a shame that on that night BLAKALASKA had to follow such a class band who are at the top of their game. I purchased BLACKALASKA's new 'Machine' EP and I've been playing it 'on repeat' for a couple of days and it highlights how good BLAKALASKA really are.

Maybe we all respond to music based on the 'mood' that we are in at the time and maybe, on another night, I would do the 'right thing' and favour the Guernsey band?

The bottom line is... both bands deserve our support so make sure you catch a gig from either band if you have a chance... they're both quality acts.

I've added pics of both bands to the Gallery:
VIEW PICS OF FALENIZZAHORSEPOWER
VIEW PICS OF BLAKALASKA

Two different days... two different places... two different weathers.

What a contrast the Guernsey weekend has offered.

Saturday it was beach-time :-) This meant sun, sand, sea and warmth. There was also plenty of action to capture whilst photographing the Guernsey Surf Club's Junior Series. It's safe to say that a good time was had by everyone.

One sleep later and I was at the track dressed in full wet-weather gear... definitely not as pleasant as the first day of the weekend :-(

In the end I was well 'over-dressed' as the heavy rain that the iPhone app had promised never really arrived. Better safe than sorry I suppose.

The one similarity between the days was the action - of course. Why else would I be there?

The Track, in the rain, is always worth making an effort for as it offers the chance to capture a few 'roosters' - so maybe it would have been better if the heavy rain had actually arrived!

Once again I have enjoyed a fantastic weekend of photography which, by the way, also included Mower Racing and two amazing Bands at the Fermain Tavern. The pics of BLAKALASKA and Falenizza Horsepower will follow.

The first updates are here:
VIEW PICS OF THE SUMMER KART CHAMPIONSHIP
VIEW PICS OF THE SURF CLUB JUNIOR SERIES
VIEW PICS OF THE MOWER RACING

It's Racing... but not as we know it!

Yesterday, Guernsey Kart & Motor Club organised a day of Mower Racing in their field near to the Motocross Track. There wasn't a great entry but those who made the effort and the spectators who lined the track had plenty of smiles on their faces.

Credit must be given to the GK&MC President and the Committee who organised this fun event. The hope was that it would offer a little light relief from the ever so serious business of the Club's other events.

On that level it worked brilliantly. But with the poor support from Club members maybe this will be the first and last Mower Racing event?

Time will tell.

I've added a Gallery featuring the fun...
VIEW PICS OF THE GK&MC MOWER RACING

It's what Summer-time was made for... the beach :-)

Every Guernseyman knows that we have amazing beaches over here. The best of them have white sand and clean water... and when the sun shines the sea takes on beautiful blue and green colours. Awesome.

However, now-days, when I find myself on one of our lovely beaches the peace is spoilt by the revving of engines! It's race-time.

But today was a very pleasant change. I received a late call from Peter Frankland, the Picture Editor at the Guernsey Press, saying that he was held up on another photoshoot and could I step in to photograph the Guernsey Surf Club's inaugural Junior Surf Series. Of course I can!

So my morning didn't go to the original plan but I enjoyed a couple of hours taking pics of the Swoffers and Yak Wax supported Junior Surf competition. I loved it.

I was impressed by how good the young surfers were and they made capturing the action very easy. I have a fancy that I will be back on the beach at Vazon again soon... without the revving engines!

I've added a Gallery featuring the Surf action:
VIEW PICS OF THE GUERNSEY SURF CLUB'S JUNIOR SURF SERIES

If I ever get around to making a short-list of my favourite weekends then one event would be sure to feature very near the top.

The Condor Ferries British Sandace Championship is a Motorsport event that would take a high spot on the list and Saturday confirmed to me why.

Now in its tenth year, the Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club were rewarded for the decade of hard work that they have put into the Condor Ferries British Sandace Championship by seeing the best quality entry so far.

I understand that several riders chose to compete in the Sandace instead of another prestigious UK event. We were also able to see some of the most promising youngsters riding on the Vazon sands for the first time... and they were awesome. The future of the sport looks very promising.

The Sandace weekend is always very hectic. I'm on the beach for all the racing... that's the fun part... then the work starts :-(

I immediately copied the days shoot unto my laptop computer and then set off to the Wicked Wolf for the evening social.

This year (with the change of venue) I was promised a big screen and projector to display the days work. I visited the pub the day before to check out the system but no-one could show me the set-up... I was concerned that I might have problems on the night. I was right!!

It would take far to long to tell you what went wrong (quicker to say what went right!) In the end my back-up plan of taking a TV along saved the day :-)

I was able to run an un-edited slide-show of the 395 pics that I took of the racing. This is a scary thing for a photographer to do when you haven't had a chance to delete the rubbish or do any form of edit, exposure correction or cropping! To my relief almost all of them looked fantastic.

Sunday morning it was time to make a very quick edit before the Guernsey Press deadline and a further edit for Speedway Star Magazine. Then a full edit of the whole weekends work for my web-site.

So now, with the job done and the Sandace meeting already behind us for another year we must congratulate the GMC&CC for the way they ran the event. It is now a firm favourite with many International riders. They only have to visit Vazon once to catch the 'bug'. Beach racing is so different to their normal race weekends and Guernsey does it brilliantly.

Things can only get bigger and better.
VIEW PICS OF THE 2015 CONDOR FERRIES BRITISH SANDACE CHAMPIONSHIP

If you could charge a Bike & Music Festival with the Trade Descriptions Act then the Greenman MCC 'CHAOS BIKE & MUSIC FESTIVAL' would soon be having their day in court.

The problem is that the word 'CHAOS' in the title really fails to hit the spot.

Given the literal interpretation you would be forgiven to expect mayhem, trouble, bad attitude, intimidation... where would you stop? CHAOS in fact!

But as I have stated many times before, this Festival is everything opposite to the above. The only thing you need to worry about when you attend is that you will need to pace yourself... you wouldn't want to peak too soon as there is so much fun going on... so many bands to see... so much beer to drink.

I've photographed the event many times now and my Galleries should give you a great idea what goes on.

I've begun the updates for 2015... there's more to come yet too :-)

First updates are for bands Stormbringer, Robert J Hunter, Demise of Sanity, Buffalo Huddleston, Citizen-X and Fly Casual.

Click the link to see how the Greenman Chaos Festival doesn't do what it says on the tin :-)
VIEW PICS OF THE GREENMAN CHAOS... WITHOUT THE CHAOS

I have a feeling that my mate and fellow photographer Mike Brehaut might have pulled off the ultimate hack of my web-site!

It seems a bit of an extreme and painful thing to go through but wow, what a result!

I'm talking about the crash that Mike had right in front of me at the Reservoir Speed Event... the perfect spot for me to get a few pics :-)

Of course I was eager to add the action to my web-site and the interest has been quite amazing. The stats show that his gallery of crash pics has had over 4,000 views since yesterday. That number amounts to 24% of todays total views.

So what do you reckon?

My mate Mike seems to be gaining new fans by using my web-site to get noticed! He's a clever guy :-)

Am I getting paranoid? What do you think?

:-)

By the way, I've now added the rest of my pics from the Speed Event including Cars, Karts & Bikes:
VIEW ALL THE RESERVOIR SPEED EVENT PICS

Mike Brehaut will always keep you entertained. He is great fun to meet for a natter over cups of strong coffee... never less than two cups! He's also very polite and always acknowledges his audience with a wave... see pic No.4 of the sequence ;-)

When fellow professional photographer and mate, Mike Brehaut (CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY ), took up the sport of Karting I joked with him that he was to make sure that if he crashed he must do it in front of me and I would guarantee to get the shot!

Well, as you see, we both kept our part of the deal :-)

Whats more, I'm relieved that I managed to nail the focus for the whole sequence of pics... my cred as a pro lives on till the next time ;-)

In fact, as I know Mike loves attention, I've given him his very own Gallery :-)

As I'm living onsite at the Chaos Festival this weekend this quick edit was done in my studio van (beer in hand) as peeps are chasing me to see the pics... the rest will follow.

I've just noticed that the viewings on my web-site are at: 9,472,666... could this be an omen Mike Brehaut?

Or is that 999, call me an ambulance?

Click here to view the whole sequence:
VIEW THE SEQUENCE OF MIKE BREHAUT'S CRASH

The Skints had a lot to live up to when they played at the Fermain Tavern last weekend.

There had been quite a lot of hype and anticipation... the word was that they were going to be good. They didn't disappoint!

Big thanks go to the Vale Earth Fair and The Get Down who organised the gig together. Now we have to be patient for the big one... Vale Earth Fair 2015, it wont be long :-)

Pics of The Skints are now online:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE SKINTS

The next time I step onto a beach it will be for motorsport mayhem of the very best kind :-)

The Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club will be running their tenth British Sand Ace Championship meeting on the sands of Vazon Bay. I'm proud to say that I have photographed every single one.

The fact that I have been privileged to get so close to the action (and have the pics to prove it) I am certain that this National Championship only gets better and better... year after year.

I've checked out the names on the entry list and the tenth running of the Sand Ace is lined up to be the best yet. I urge you to make a diary date on July 4th at 1.30pm to find yourself a space on the sea wall to enjoy the motorsport spectacle of 500cc 'Sliders' and 1000cc Right-Hand Sidecar outfits battling for the prestigious Trophies.

I was down on the beach for the last 'Club' meeting before the 'Big One'. Pics are now on-line:
VIEW PICS OF THE LATEST SANDRACING MEETING

It was a case of Lights, Lasers, Music and Party when Hard Riddims and Cage & Stage Promotions presented a night of DJ's and MC's inside the walls of Guernsey's historic Castle Cornet.

The atmosphere came alive with the help of a fantastic Laser & Lighting show by Gareth 'G' Pennington's GLC Lighting & Laser's.

There is something mystical and magical when a modern event is held inside such an historic place as Castle Cornet. The thick, high stone walls might have thought they had seen everything before... including having its top blown off when the gunpowder store took a direct hit from a lightning strike!

But I fancy that the walls had never seen such an impressive Laser and Lighting show! The night was a great success with a great vibe running through the narrow passages and a good sized crowd enjoyed the unique setting.

I was able to pop along for a few minutes and I captured a few pics of the show...
VIEW PICS OF THE HARD RIDDIMS CASTLE CORNET NIGHT

Sometimes you can't help but be proud of our little Island and its inhabitants.

This weekend has been one of those occasions.

I have been chasing my own camera bodies around for the last two days whilst covering several big events. The mornings work wasn't that exciting or different but each afternoon it has been RYA National Offshore Powerboat time :-) And just to add variety, on Saturday evening I captured some pics at the Castle Cornet 'Rave'!

But to get back to my original comment. The Guernsey Powerboat Association were given the opportunity to run two races in the RYA National Offshore 3A & V24 Championship. This chance had already been earned by the high standard of organisation the GPA puts in place.

However, there was always going to be a chance of missing the mark this time around as there is so much that has to run smoothly behind the scenes. There is a mountain of paperwork that needs accurate completion and then every other fine detail from safety, marshalling, permissions and trophies has to be sorted before-hand.

The great thing is that now the last podium presentation has been made we can already say that the GPA and Guernsey has done us proud... what a fantastic event that showcased everything about Guernsey at its best. Thank you GPA. Thank you Guernsey sunshine ;-)

Final thanks must go to Stanley Gibbons Investment for their sponsorship of the GPA. Without that support nothing would happen.

I got to see the bustle in Race Control after each race as I worked with John Moore from the leading magazine 'Raceboat International'. John was in Guernsey as the magazine is going to give extensive coverage of the racing... helped along by my pictures. John was also making immediate updates to the
RACEBOAT INTERNATIONAL WEBSITE
and Facebook pages. Make sure you check them out.

I've already added a few pics of the two races to my Galleries... more will follow:
VIEW PICS OF THE RYA 3A AND V24 NATIONAL OFFSHORE POWERBOAT RACE-1
VIEW PICS OF THE RYA 3A AND V24 NATIONAL OFFSHORE POWERBOAT RACE-2